President pledges to complete KATH maternity block

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday began a five-day tour of the Ashanti Region, giving an assurance that one of the legacies he will want to bequeath to posterity is the maternity block of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) whose construction has stalled for more than 40 years.

He called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll, to work in concert with the government to secure the necessary funds to complete the maternity block project.

The President gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace at the beginning of his five-day tour of the region.

Mother and Baby Unit

Last year, the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, raised more than GH¢10 million to put up a new Mother and Baby Unit to ease congestion at the old ward of the KATH.

According to conservative estimates, about U$100 million is required to complete the maternity block.

Yesterday, he cut the sod for a facelift of major roads in Kumasi to ease traffic, promote business and reduce flooding.

The works include the asphaltic overlay of 150 km, resealing of 145 km of roads and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 180 km of roads within Kumasi and its environs.

The works will also cover the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 100km of roads and safety works, including improvement of roundabouts, pedestrian footbridges and walkways.

Vester Oil

At Aputuagya in the Bosomtwi District in the Ashanti Region, the President visited Vester Oil, a private oil-producing company.

He also visited the new site of the factory at Aputuagya to inspect the facility and find out how the government could lend its support to the company.

Interacting with the management of the company, the President said the government was currently studying a proposal from the company to access the equivalent of $5 million to expand its operations.

If successful, Vester is expected to increase its workforce from 100 to 200 and introduce new products.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Kwasi Nyamekye, told President Akufo-Addo that the company could help reduce the number of unemployed youth if given the necessary support by the government.